Astros' Maxwell expected to be sidelined for a month

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Houston Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell is
expected to be sidelined for at least a month because of a broken bone in his
left hand.

The Astros said Friday that Maxwell will not need surgery to repair the
fractured fifth metacarpal. His hand is currently in a splint.

Maxwell was hurt during Tuesday's game against Seattle when he was hit by a
pitch from Hisashi Iwakuma in the fourth inning. He had played every inning of
the team's first 20 games in center field before exiting the contest.

The 29-year-old Maxwell is hitting .234 with a homer and six runs batted in
this season.

Houston also announced that minor league pitcher Rudy Owens will undergo
surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. The lefty, who was on the
club's 40-man roster, is expected to be sidelined for 4-to-5 months. He had a
3.71 ERA in four appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City.